The Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas has awarded a $25,000 grant to support Houston Volunteer Lawyers’ efforts to provide legal representation to low-income households who have a legal issue caused by Hurricane Harvey and who cannot afford an attorney, particularly in cases that involve litigation. According to a news release, Houston Volunteer … Continue Reading
The Texas Access to Justice Foundation, or TAJF, announced the creation of the Randy Chapman Fellowship program for legal aid lawyers on June 20.… Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) remind residents that free legal resources are available to low-income individuals struggling to recover from a disaster such as recent flooding that has affected Aransas, Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces, San Patricio and Willacy counties. TRLA operates a toll-free disaster legal hotline — (866) 757-1570 — that … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: State Bar of Texas President Joe K. Longley sent the following message to members on Thursday. This week I traveled to the border to learn how we can promote access to justice and the rule of law related to the separation of immigrant families. I met with a number of dedicated attorneys and … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: State Bar of Texas President Tom Vick sent the following message to members on Thursday. I am writing with a quick update on the recent events occurring on our southern border. Although the Trump administration signed an executive order to end family separations, the need for volunteer attorneys remains strong—particularly Spanish-speaking immigration lawyers. … Continue Reading
The Austin Bar Association is hosting a training for attorneys who want to help families separated upon entering the United States. The training, titled Responding to Zero-Tolerance: Credible Fear and Immigration Bond Hearing Training, will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Monday, June 25 at the Austin Bar office. The in-person training is sold out, has … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas’ Jury Service Committee is seeking feedback from people summoned to jury duty about their experiences. The committee has created an online survey designed to elicit a more thorough understanding of the juror experience regardless of court or county or whether or not the individual ended up serving on a jury. … Continue Reading
Veterans across Texas were honored at the Champions for Justice Gala Benefitting Veterans on April 25. More than $404,000 was raised to provide civil legal services to low-income Texas veterans at the event. The gala, co-sponsored by the Texas Access to Justice Commission and the State Bar of Texas, was held at the AT&T Executive Education … Continue Reading
The Texas Access to Justice Foundation recently announced the creation of the David Hall Fellowship program for legal aid attorneys. TAJF will fund and administer the four-year fellowship for an attorney to provide civil legal services to the 68 counties covered by Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. The fellowship honors David Hall, who led TRLA for … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The following column also appears in the January 2018 issue of the Texas Bar Journal. Did you know that the State Bar of Texas will soon have one of the largest legal incubators anywhere? And that the program is helping not only new attorneys but also people who normally can’t afford legal services? The … Continue Reading
The newest group of Texas attorneys took the Lawyer’s Oath Monday morning at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. Members of the Texas Supreme Court and Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, deans from Texas law schools, and representatives from the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Board of Law Examiners welcomed hundreds of law … Continue Reading
In a message to members, San Antonio Bar Association President Beth Watkins said the need for legal services for those affected by the recent mass shooting at the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church will likely exceed what the legal community in that area can provide. The San Antonio Bar Association predicts there will be a need … Continue Reading
Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week, coordinated statewide by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, honors Texas Veterans during the week of Veterans Day. From November 6 to 10, legal aid programs, local bar associations, law schools, and pro bono attorneys will provide free civil legal services to qualified veterans.… Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas, the Texas Access to Justice Commission, the American Bar Association, and others proudly support National Pro Bono Celebration Week (October 22-28). Pro Bono week is an opportunity to educate the public about the good work the legal community does to improve the lives of vulnerable Texans and to encourage more … Continue Reading
The Dallas Bar Association and Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas will hosts 11 free legal clinics in October for eligible Dallas County residents. The clinics offer free legal advice and consultation in civil matters for those residents who meet certain income requirements under Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas guidelines. Applicants are asked to bring proof … Continue Reading
American Bar Association President Hilarie Bass met with State Bar of Texas President Tom Vick and Houston Bar Association President Alistair Dawson, among other local leaders, as they visited a volunteer-run legal clinic and disaster relief training seminar on Monday. Bass’ trip to Houston promoted free services offered by legal aid agencies, local bars … Continue Reading
Editor’s note: The Houston Bar Association issued the following news release Thursday. This is your chance to learn more about your legal rights, and have fun at the same time. Best of all, it is absolutely free. On Saturday, September 30th, the Center for Consumer Law at the University of Houston Law Center, with the … Continue Reading
Texas Legal Answers is a free online legal advice clinic where people can post their non-criminal legal questions and receive answers from volunteer lawyers. The site—TexasLegalAnswers.org—is the product of a partnership between the State Bar of Texas and the American Bar Association. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, dozens of attorney volunteers have joined Texas … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing a daily collection of important links, blog posts, and media stories to keep its members and the public informed of the latest news and resources related to Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery efforts. Important Harvey Links If you have been adversely affected or wish to assist a … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing a daily collection of important links, blog posts, and media stories to keep its members and the public informed of the latest news and resources related to Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery efforts. Important Harvey Links If you have been adversely affected or wish to assist a … Continue Reading
Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing a daily collection of important links, blog posts, and media stories to keep its members and the public informed of the latest news and resources related to Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery efforts. If you have been adversely affected or wish to assist a colleague, please take … Continue Reading
Hundreds of lawyers, law students, and paralegals have volunteered to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey. As of Thursday morning a total of 1,150 individuals had filled out the State Bar of Texas volunteer form to offer a variety of assistance to Harvey survivors. Of those, 556 are licensed Texas attorneys, 469 are lawyers licensed … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas, the American Bar Association (ABA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other organizations have partnered to help provide legal and recovery assistance to people affected by Hurricane Harvey. A toll-free legal hotline (800-504-7030) is available to connect low-income individuals affected by the disaster with local legal aid providers who … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas is compiling a list of free legal clinics for the public in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. The clinic list is updated regularly on the Bar’s Disaster Relief Resources web page texasbar.com/disasters. The clinics can help with insurance questions, landlord tenant matters, consumer and real estate problems, and offer guidance … Continue Reading
